MERRIMAN
I have put Mr. Ernest's things in the room next to yours, sir. I suppose that is all right?
JACK
What?
MERRIMAN
Mr. Ernest's luggage, sir. I have unpacked it and put it in the room next to your own.
JACK
His luggage?
MERRIMAN
Yes, sir. Three portmanteaus, a dressing-case, two hat- boxes, and a large luncheon-basket.
ALGERNON
I am afraid I can't stay more than a week this time.
JACK
Merriman, order the dog-cart at once. Mr. Ernest has been suddenly called back to town.
MERRIMAN
Yes, sir. [Goes back into the house.]
ALGERNON
What a fearful liar you are, Jack. I have not been called back to town at all.
JACK
Yes, you have.
ALGERNON
I haven't heard any one call me.
JACK
Your duty as a gentleman calls you back.
ALGERNON
My duty as a gentleman has never interfered with my pleasures in the smallest degree.
JACK
I can quite understand that.
ALGERNON
Well, Cecily is a darling.
JACK
You are not to talk of Miss Cardew like that. I don't like it.
ALGERNON
Well, I don't like your clothes. You look perfectly ridiculous in them. Why on earth don't you go up and change? It is perfectly childish to be in deep mourning for a man who is actually staying for a whole week with you in your house as a guest. I call it grotesque.
JACK
You are certainly not staying with me for a whole week as a guest or anything else. You have got to leave . . . by the four- five train.
ALGERNON
I certainly won't leave you so long as you are in mourning. It would be most unfriendly. If I were in mourning you would stay with me, I suppose. I should think it very unkind if you didn't.
JACK
Well, will you go if I change my clothes?
ALGERNON
Yes, if you are not too long. I never saw anybody take so long to dress, and with such little result.
JACK
Well, at any rate, that is better than being always over- dressed as you are.
ALGERNON
If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over-educated.
JACK
Your vanity is ridiculous, your conduct an outrage, and your presence in my garden utterly absurd. However, you have got to catch the four-five, and I hope you will have a pleasant journey back to town. This Bunburying, as you call it, has not been a great success for you.
[Goes into the house.]